Navy knows it captured another Commander-in-Chief's Trophy only with a little bit of luck, and the Midshipmen can feel Army breathing down their neck as the team prepares for the 2013 season.

The 17-13 win over the Cadets – remember that Army fumbled when driving for the game-winning score – was, above all else, Navy's 11th victory in a row in the great rivalry. At the same time, that Army came within 14 yards of knocking off the bowl-bound Midshipmen unraveled Navy's hard-earned sense of invincibility in the series.

Does Navy need a jolt of self-confidence? Last season included its fair share of down moments, from ugly losses to Notre Dame and San Jose State in September through a 62-28 shellacking at the hands of Arizona State in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

Coach Ken Niumatalolo and his staff know that confidence comes from the details – improving last year's subpar defense, working in more explosiveness in the passing game and increasing the team's effectiveness in the red zone. Navy's spring will focus on the little things before Niumatalolo turns to the big picture.

Spring dates: Navy opened the spring on Mar. 18 and will hold its spring game on Apr. 12.

1. Is Reynolds ready to break out? It takes a special player to navigate his first year at a service academy and still make an impact on the gridiron; it takes a very special player to do so while playing quarterback, as sophomore Keenan Reynolds did in 2012. After appearing in all 13 games, making eight starts, Reynolds should be even more polished as a second-year starter. It's obvious that he gives Navy an added dimension in the passing game, as evidenced by his numbers as a freshman. Can Reynolds survive the pounding over an entire season? The sky is the limit.

2. What about the red zone? No issues on defense: Navy had the nation's 19th-best red zone defense, keeping opponents off the scoreboard on 13 of 50 trips inside the 20-yard line. Offensively, however, the Midshipmen's conversion rate ranked 77th nationally. Any reason why that will change in 2013? Reynolds' passing ability will be an asset, especially if he can continue to do a nice job avoiding turnovers. But it takes a certain mentality to score in the red zone, and that – as always – starts up front.

3. Will youth be served? Navy played 14 true freshmen in 2012, the sixth-most of any team in the FBS. Come the fall, as many as four of these now-sophomores should hold starting roles – and beyond that, another handful will be key contributors on the second level. Another year of experience will be huge for these entire crop of second-year players, beginning with Reynolds, and will be one reason why Navy should be more consistent as a team in 2013.

Position battles:

1. Linebacker. Keegan Wetzel is gone, robbing Navy of its most disruptive edge rusher (by leaps and bounds); the Midshipmen will go this spring without returning starter Jordan Drake. The good news is that this will give time for linebackers like A.K. Akpunku, Josh Tate and Chris Johnson to work with Navy's first-team defense. Cody Peterson is back at one of the two inside spots, but senior Vinnie Mauro needs to prove himself to this staff before grabbing a role alongside the returning starter.

2. Offensive backfield. Reynolds is going to put in work from his quarterback spot, perhaps challenging for a 1,000-yard season to go a dozen-plus touchdowns. Fullback Noah Copeland will continue to do the dirty work inside; backup quarterback Trey Miller could also find a nice role in certain packages. The Midshipmen still need to find a burner to replace Gee Gee Greene's big-play ability, with that search beginning with senior Darius Staten and junior Geoffery Whiteside. Sophomore Demond Brown is a potential sleeper.